MN Twins Top Prospect Starts Comeback Off Hot; Other Injury Updates
The Minnesota Twins lost Saturday afternoon against the St. Louis Cardinals, pushing their overall record on the season to a paltry 32-40. It’s now been nearly two weeks (June 1 and 2) since the Twins won two-straight games.
Even Royce Lewis continuing his hot streak up from Triple A hasn’t been enough to save the Twins’ season from going off the rails. Unless they get some sort of miracle news on the injury front, this team is in big trouble.
Unfortunately, while general manager Jeremy Zoll did reveal a bevy of health updates Saturday, there are no reinforcements immediately on their way to Target Field for Sunday’s final of three games against the Cards.
Walker Jenkins starts rehab assignment off hot
On the other hand, we did get the start of a rehab assignment for top prospect Walker Jenkins (Grade 2 AC Joint sprain), who was DHing in the two-hole for Single A Fort Myers today, where the 21-year-old outfielder went 2-for-3 with two singles.
Make it a 2-for-2 start for Walker Jenkins #MNTwins 💪
— Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (@MightyMussels) June 13, 2026
Top 4 | DUN 4 – FTM 0 pic.twitter.com/JWcaWHE9Df
Before the 21-year-old stepped into the batter’s box today down in Florida, Jenkins — the No. 11 prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline — hadn’t played organized baseball since May 3. The last time we saw him, Walker went 1-for-1 with the (AAA) St. Paul Saints, before he landed on the injured list with a grade 2 AC joint sprain.
Prior to injury, the former No. 5 overall draft pick was batting .256 in 25 games (90 AB) with a .785 OPS on 6 doubles, 2 homers and 9 RBI. If Jenkins can get off to a hot start and stay healthy through the All-Star break, there’s still a good chance we could see him in a Minnesota Twins uniform before the season is over.
Since being drafted by the Twins back in 2023, Walker Jenkins is batting .291 with a .854 OPS (21 HR, 123 RBI, 134 BB, 155 SO, 45 SB) in 217 minor league games played.
Mick Abel nearing return to Minnesota Twins
The return of Walker Jenkins wasn’t the only injury update that came available this weekend. Zoll also revealed the latest healthy updates on multiple Minnesota Twins who are trying to work their way back from the IL.
According to Dan Hayes (The Athletic), Mick Abel will make at least one more rehab start with St. Paul before he returns to the Twins. The former first round draft pick threw three scoreless innings for the Saints on Wednesday.
Zoll also said Kendry Rojas (left elbow inflammation) would throw a live batting practice at Fort Myers on Saturday and Mick Abel (right elbow inflammation) will participate in a light bullpen at Target Field. Abel is likely to have at least one more minor-league rehab start after pitching three scoreless innings for St. Paul on Wednesday night.
Dan Hayes – The Athletic
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Prior to injury, Abel had a 3.98 ERA with a 2.76 FIP in 20.1 innings pitched in the big leagues this season. Without a doubt, Mick is Minnesota’s best hope to immediately relieve some of the pitching issues that are drowning them at the big league level.
Other MN Twins injury updates
Additionally, Ryan Jeffers (left hamate) is “participating in catching drills”, according to Hayes. He still doesn’t have a timeline for return and isn’t expected to be close until the days/weeks leading up to the trade deadline.
Bailey Ober (right elbow) was recently shut down for ten days, but returned to throwing on Friday. Kendry Rojas (left elbow) is throwing live batting practice today down in Fort Myers, as he gears up for a return, as well.
Lastly, starting pitcher David Festa (right shoulder), who hasn’t pitched all season, is scheduled for his first bullpen session in approximately ten days.
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